This diagram outlines the process to apply to become a Bowel Cancer Screening colonoscopist.

 

 

Assessment timeline update

The new timeframes for the BSCA assessment process were agreed at the 7 November 2024 BCSA panel meeting. These will affect all candidates once implemented. We will update screening centres when we have a confirmed launch date.

 

The updated assessment timeline is outlined below:

From the candidate’s BCSA account being created to submitting their online application for review – 12 weeks:

• Please note that this will not be extended for annual leave.
•  Please ensure that you only submit a new screener request for a candidate where this timeframe can be met (eg do not send when the candidate is on sabbatical etc).
  

From online application approval to passing the MCQ – 12 weeks:

• If the candidate does not pass the MCQ within 12 weeks from their candidate account being create, the centre will need to resend the new screener request form/apply from the start of the process.

From online application approval to passing the DOPS exam – 12 months:

• If the candidate does not pass the DOPS exam within this timeframe, they must reapply from the start of the process (new screener request) should they still wish to be considered.

 

Why are these changes needed?

• A recent influx of candidates led to some centres allowing applicants to sit their MCQ with out-of-date applications.
• Applications must have been submitted within 1 year prior to the DOPS exam to ensure that data submitted are not out of date.
• It allows us to more accurately predict the number of DOPS assessments needed each year so that they align with new screener requests.

 

How were the timeframes decided

The JAG office extracted data from the 2022 BCSA candidate pool (89 candidates who were granted accounts during 2022) to review the mean number of days taken at each stage of the process and used this to inform the timeframes.

 

Candidates already in the process

Any candidate who has an application over 12 months old, who has yet to pass their MCQ at the time of this update will have their application and account deactivated. These candidates will need to restart the process in order to become a BCSP screener.

Any new candidates starting the BCSA process after the timeline update will need to adhere to the updated timeframes. Any existing candidates waiting to book a DOPS exam will have up to 12 months from their last DOPS date, if resitting, or 18 months from their application approval date before the new timeframe applies to them.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the updated assessment timeline.